20 Missing as Tour Boats Carrying 70 Capsize Amid Heavy Rain in China’s Guizhou

Two tour boats carrying around 70 people capsized in China’s southwestern Guizhou province on Sunday afternoon (May 4), amid severe weather conditions. Chinese state media reported the accident occurred around 4 pm local time on the Liuchong River, close to Dongfeng Reservoir, as heavy rains hit the region.

According to Xinhua news agency, rescue teams had saved over 50 people from the river by 7 pm, but approximately 20 remained missing. Authorities have yet to confirm exact casualty figures, reported the South China Morning Post.

A passenger from another boat described how the weather quickly deteriorated, with sudden heavy rain and dense fog reducing visibility and complicating navigation.

Earlier on Sunday, the China Meteorological Administration issued warnings predicting heavy rainfall for southern and southwestern regions, including Guizhou and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The accident coincided with China’s May Day “golden week,” a busy holiday period marked by a surge in domestic tourism. Just one day prior, the state-run People’s Daily reported data from the travel website Trip.com indicating hotel bookings in Guizhou had increased by a third compared to last year.

This incident follows repeated calls by Chinese authorities for improved safety precautions during peak travel seasons. Recently, on May 2, a sightseeing helicopter crash in Suzhou killed one bystander and injured four passengers. Another boating tragedy in Guizhou last December resulted in eight deaths. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.